The Gift of a Mantra by Deb Joelle

quilt picI’ve had a pretty darn good life so far. Not that I’m planning on giving it up any time soon or anything, but on reflection, even the darkest moments were eased by other wonderful things happening at the same time.

The other day, I was having breakfast with some friends and one of the women started pointing across the room. I immediately looked around behind me to see what she was pointing at. Turns out, she just wanted the syrup that was sitting next to me. I laughed and said, “I’m a word person. You have to use words with me. If you just point, I’m like a cat and I’m more likely to look at the end of your finger than figure out what you mean.” Everyone laughed too, and the syrup was passed.

The thing is, I wasn’t joking about being a word person. I mean, you might say, “Well, duh. That’s why you’re a writer.” and that’s probably true, but I started out as an actor, which is also word oriented, right? Words have always been important. I think this is why, out of all the blessings and gifts I’ve received in my lifetime, the one that came as words has had the most impact on my life.

More times than I can tell you in a whole year of posts, things have looked as if they are going very wrong for me, only to take a surprising turn, and be better and more than I could’ve hoped for in the end. As a child, my mother used to watch this happen to me, and with wonder, she would say, “Everything always works out for you, Joelle.”

As I got older, her wonder gave way and the words became a statement. “Everything always works out for you, Joelle.”  These words have carried me through upheavals, indecision, world travel, college, divorce, two big moves, immigration, and yes, the tough road of publishing.

Now they are my own words. Now I tell myself this as needed. Now they are my mantra. Now, in times of indecision or doubt, you may see me mouthing these words over and over. “Everything always works out for you, Joelle.”

Seven years ago, when my husband and I first got together and he needed them, I happily gave him these words for his own use. Today, I offer them up to you.

Everything always works out for you.

RestoringHarmonyLR

6 Replies to “The Gift of a Mantra by Deb Joelle”

  1. Oooh, I love this post! I love it. And I love the mantra too. Life does have a funny way of working itself out, doesn’t it?

  2. As a young child, I heard my mom say: “Everything has a reason and things always work out for the best.” I believed my mom and took those words to heart, enjoying amazing results. How lovely of you to share that gift of joy!

  3. Joelle, I also love this simple mantra. Thanks for the gift. Since you are the Friday Deb, it appears that you’ll have the New Year’s Day post too, and so we’ll look forward to your next gift of words! I love words, even though I am mostly visual… a face watcher and observer of bodies, animals and human. But words are mysterious beings in their own right. Words are so powerful. I love your story of your mom’s words becoming your mantra. What a lovely mother you must have. That’s a real blessing.

  4. This is one of the most touching posts i have ever read. Thanks for the mantra 😀 everyone needs to be reminded that every once in a while. 🙂

    I’m glad things have been working out for you 😀

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